After months of fanfare, conjecture, and fervent emailing, the first (and only?) NY state gubernatorial debate is finally taking place this Monday at Hofstra University! It's really happening guys—all seven candidates will be there, in their glammest outfits, their cakiest makeup, and with their glitziest stump speeches. Will they stay on message? Will Carl Paladino insult someone's mother? Will Andrew Cuomo say anything? Will anyone pay attention to those other five candidates? more ›

The tenacious Gov. Paterson says he's charging ahead with his electoral campaign, but with so many officials failing to RSVP, he may have to cancel his kick-off event on Saturday. The governor—who is as short on funds as he is on official and voter support—planned to launch his run at his alma mater Hofstra University, where his campaign manager said he would take "his case directly to the people." But some prominent Democrats don't want to show their faces. more ›

Hofstra University has decided to cancel its football program. President Stuart Rabinowitz said, "The cost of the football program, now and in the future, far exceeds the return possible from an FCS program, which does not generate significant national interest. Given that, along with the low level of interest, financial support and attendance among our students, our alumni and the community, the choice was painful, but clear." more ›

Whoa: The Hofstra student who claimed five men had gang raped her in a dormitory bathroom stall—resulting in four suspects being arrested and a manhunt for the fifth—apparently lied about the story. Newsday reports, "After hearing the news, prosecutors convened a late night court hearing at First District Court in Hempstead where Judge Robert Bruno signed an order dismissing the charges against the four men in the case." more ›

[Update: Now the Nassau County DA says the student lied about the rape.] more ›

Hofstra University on Long Island is gearing up to welcome John McCain and Barack Obama and tons of media this week. The school may spend over $3.5 million, including a $7,500 fee to apply and $1.35 million to the Presidential Debate Commission to be a host. Hofstra President Stuart Rabinowitz points out to Newsday that the school opened a center for presidential studies, not to mention holding eleven conferences to discuss different presidential administrations since 1982, "Nobody could suggest it was just a publicity stunt on our part." Check out the Hofstra Debate website as well as its Educate '08 site. more ›